National Park Service and Federal Aviation Administration Announce Final Air Tour Management Voluntary Agreement for San Francisco Bay Area Parks

SAN FRANCISCO - The National Park Service today announced the completion of a commercial air tour management voluntary agreement for the San Francisco Bay Area parks. The agreement guides NPS and the Federal Aviation Administration in jointly managing commercial air tours for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

This agreement replaces the current Air Tour Management Plan, finalized on Jan. 11, 2023. That plan cannot remain in effect due to a court order. This agreement maintains similar operating conditions to the previous plan and continues to guide NPS and FAA in the management of commercial air tours over the national parks in the San Francisco Bay Area. The final agreement addresses many unique challenges while improving the condition of park resources and ensuring safe air tour operations. It was developed between NPS, FAA, and three air tour operators, and included tribal consultation and public review. The final voluntary agreement and more information are available on the NPS park planning site.

The National Parks Air Tour Management Act allows NPS and FAA to enter into voluntary agreements with commercial air tour operators as an alternative to an Air Tour Management Plan. A voluntary agreement provides a framework for the collaborative management of commercial air tour operations over a national park by establishing conditions for the conduct of the air tours. Implementation of a voluntary agreement helps protect park resources and the visitor experience without compromising aviation safety or the air traffic control system.

Please visit this NPS site and this FAA site for more general information about air tour management plans and voluntary agreements.